Arabic is the official language of the UAE — and any document submitted to a UAE court, government office, or licensing authority that is not already in Arabic must be accompanied by a translation prepared by a translator licensed by the Ministry of Justice (and listed on the MOFA register). This is "legal translation" or "sworn translation" — distinct from regular commercial translation. Here is the practical 2026 picture.
What "legal translation" means in the UAE
A legal translator in the UAE is a natural person who has:
- Passed the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Legal Translator Examination.
- Holds a valid MOJ Legal Translator Licence (renewed every 3 years).
- Is registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for attestation purposes.
The translator's signature, registered seal, and licence number on a translated document constitutes a sworn translation. UAE courts and government offices will only accept translations bearing this seal — a translation by an unlicensed translator, however accurate, is not valid for official use.
When you need legal translation
| Use case | What needs translating |
|---|---|
| Court submissions | Pleadings, contracts, foreign judgments, witness statements |
| Marriage / divorce registration | Foreign marriage certificate, divorce decree, no-impediment letter |
| Visa applications | Foreign degrees, transcripts, birth certificates, police clearance |
| Property / inheritance | Foreign wills, title deeds, succession certificates |
| Business setup | Foreign MOA, board resolutions, shareholder agreements |
| Employment / DHA / MOH licensing | Foreign medical degrees, experience letters, GMC/MCI verifications |
| Notarisation at Dubai Courts | Any English document being notarised — the notary requires a parallel Arabic version |
How pricing works — per 250 words is the standard
The UAE legal-translation industry prices in 250-word chunks (sometimes called "pages" but standardised by word count, not physical pages). Standard market rates in 2026:
| Direction | Standard rate (AED per 250 words) | Express (24h) rate |
|---|---|---|
| English → Arabic | 50–80 | 80–140 |
| Arabic → English | 60–90 | 90–150 |
| Other → Arabic (via English) | 120–180 | 180–280 |
Personal certificates (birth, marriage, death) are typically priced as flat fees of AED 80–150 per document since the wording is largely templated.
Source formats — what translators accept
- Original or notarised copy — preferred for court use and most government offices.
- Clear PDF scan — accepted for most non-court use.
- Photo from a phone — accepted only if every word is legible.
- Mixed-language document — translator quotes only the portion that needs translating; the rest is preserved.
Turnaround times
| Document size | Standard | Express |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 pages (single certificate) | Same day to next day | 2–4 hours |
| 4–10 pages (contract or judgment) | 1–2 working days | Same day |
| 10–50 pages (corporate package) | 3–5 working days | 1–2 working days |
| 50+ pages (technical / dossier) | 1–2 weeks | 3–5 working days |
What a legal translation deliverable looks like
- The translator's stamped Arabic translation, printed back-to-back or stapled with the source.
- The translator's declaration of accuracy on the final page.
- The translator's MOJ licence seal and signature.
- A unique reference number for verification.
- (For many uses) a MOFA attestation stamp on the translation itself, certifying the translator's seal.
Common pitfalls we see
- Wrong name spelling. Arabic transliteration of names is critical and must match the passport. Always provide the passport so the translator uses the official transliteration.
- Skipping the MOFA stamp. Many courts and the Notary Public require not only the legal translation but a MOFA attestation of the translator's seal — an extra AED 150 step.
- Stale documents. Translation done 12 months ago is technically valid but courts often want a fresh translation done within 3 months.
- Cheap translators with no MOJ licence. The translation will be rejected at the counter — always check the licence number on the MOJ public register.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need MOFA attestation on the translation itself?
For court use and Notary Public submissions, yes. For many ICP/GDRFA visa-application uses, the MOJ-licensed translator's seal alone is sufficient.
Can the translation be done outside the UAE?
No. UAE government offices and courts only accept translations done by translators licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice — done inside the UAE. Foreign sworn translations must be accompanied by a UAE legal translation.
Are digital / e-signed translations accepted?
Increasingly yes. Many emirates now accept QR-verifiable digital legal translations through the MOJ e-translation initiative — but check with the receiving authority.
What about translation into Arabic from a third language (e.g., Russian)?
The UAE has MOJ-licensed translators for several languages including Russian, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, and Bahasa. Pricing is higher; turnaround is longer.
Can the same firm do translation and attestation?
Yes — most reputable firms handle the full chain: translation, then walk the document through MOFA, the Notary Public, and the receiving authority as one package.
How do I check if my translator is licensed?
Ask for their MOJ Legal Translator Licence number and verify on the MOJ public register. A reputable firm will offer this proactively.
How we help
Visa Simplified runs a panel of MOJ-licensed Arabic, English, French, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, and Bahasa translators. We deliver sworn legal translations with optional MOFA attestation and notarisation at Dubai Courts bundled into one timeline. Read our complementary guides on embassy attestation by country and the UAE 2025 Apostille to see where translation fits in the legalisation chain.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.